NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — Two political newcomers who ran unopposed captured Village Board seats on Tuesday, the only raced in the village this year, according to unofficial results from the Ulster County Board of Elections.

Richard D. Souto and Allen D. Ross, both Democrats, won the seats. Souto got 1,021 votes while Ross garnered 968.

Village board members typically serve four-year terms; however, due to a change in state law that requires most local elections to take place in even years, in this year’s election, four-year positions are only a three-year term.

Souto, 55, has lived in New Paltz for 10 years. He is the executive director of LEAP, Inc., a New York City-based non-profit offering creative arts programs to city youngsters. He is a graduate of Wallkill High School, has a bachelor’s

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